Weekend Round Up 8th 9th October
As October progresses, run events are featuring more prominently, but as we are Tuff, these have been recorded over a wide variety of events as follows:-
ATLANTIC COAST CHALLENGE
The VoTwo Atlantic Challenge has just completed its 17th year and, one of the regular attendees is Paul Atkinson. Spread over a marathon a day along the Cornish Coast, finishing at Lands End. Complete up to 78.6 miles for the three. Paul recommends the event highly but points out entrants can complete either 1,2 or the full three days and everything is organised including transport to and from the start/finish each day – thanks to Paul for reporting in with this week’s banner shot highlighting the beautiful Cornish scenery:-
“Another year, another Atlantic Coast Challenge (ACC). But this year was special, a return to the scene of the crime where I bust my eyeball last year due to a retinal vein occlusion. Reminds me, next eyeball injection is due next week…. Wonderful boozy weekend away in south-west Cornwall with old pals, and a bit of running”.
“Always great to get the band back together. Only disappointment was there was no free beer this year….Skinners Brewery had gone under during lockdown which is a damn shame. No Betty Stoggs this year. Ahh yes, the running bit. 3 coastal marathons in 3 days, Padstow to Lands End, 4,000m of climb and nearly 20 hours on the feet”.
“The daily briefing sets the tone for this awesome event. It’s a challenge, not a race. Run, Walk or crawl to the end. Keep the sea on the right. That’s it. Highlight of Day 1 was getting through Newquay without getting lost or punched, then crossing The Gannal waist deep an hour before high tide”
“Day 2 was beautiful, winds had dropped, and ran all day in a cracking group, including a couple of my Weston club pals. No dramas. The 4km along Hayle Sands at the back end was tough as usual, but finished back at HQ for an early finish and early visit to the bar.
Final day was epic. The longest and hardest day by far. Had been feeling stronger as the weekend went on, and this was the best I’d ever felt on day 3 of a VoTwo 3-day Challenge. And storming towards the finish when I heard a chorus of “Geordie” from inside the Old Success Inn in Sennen Cove, 2km from the end. An hour later we staggered across the finish line at Lands End to a rapturous welcome from Dave the bus driver and the lass giving out the Cornish Pasties.
Geordie Paul
DOWNSLINK ULTRA
Organised by our very own Danny Cunnett & Jay McCardle at Sussex Trail Events, this year’s Downslink saw Jason Rae run, who has reported in as follows:-
“We all have certain things we care about that nobody else does ( rounding runs up to the next km, swimming certain amount of lengths or every day in the winter.
“For me it has become getting to 100 marathons and showing up for every time the Downslink Ultra has taken place”.
“This year was the 9th time so the 9th start for me . It’s a 38 mile run from St Marthas on the hill Church picking up the Old Downslink rail route and finishing at the Scout Hut in Shoreham”.
“This year I have concentrated on golf and as my handicap has dropped my run times have shot up due to no training other than a few 10k trail runs and a handful of parkruns”.
“At 8:50 before the 9:00 am start I said to Jay McCardle that the only other guy to start the previous 8 had not shown up so trotted off to the start line feeling pretty smug and also relieved that I would not have to do it again next year. 2 mins to go he came trotting up the hill”.
“The route as ever was a mental challenge, some sections tougher than others with the same familiar faces on the aid stations. Bramber castle is always a favourite as it is manned by Tuff Legend Andy Moulding every year. There were a few tuffs on the start list though I was the only one who started”.
“Anyway I made it to the finish line well inside the cut off which proves you can do an ultra without training although its not advised”.
“More seriously though having shut my event business this year the number of runners at the Downslink was significantly lower than recent years . Please choose your events wisely or we will all end up with a few big corporate races around mundane motor circuits or organisers like the Brighton marathon who only care about getting as much money out of your wallets as they can.”
Sussex Trail Events are runners who put on runs for other runners.
Jason
LONDON REVOLUTION
The London Revolution comprises three distances of either: 156.9, 88.4 or 68.5 miles and has steadily built over the last ten years (off the back of Ride London) to become the largest multi-day cycle Sportive. Initially held in May, this year Tom & Katie Goddard were our representatives and have reported in as follows:-
“We had no idea this event even existed prior to winning two places in a High5 competition but I’m glad we know about it now!
“Starting in Lee Valley, Essex (home to the 2012 Olympic mountain biking & where Dame Laura Kenny née Trott grew up), venturing through the streets of London taking in famous landmarks, such as Tower Bridge, to tackling the incredible countryside and climbs of the North Downs, Chilterns and Epping Forest. The Revolution is a 255 km (158-mile), clockwise, loop of the capital that can be completed over one or two days”.
“Desperate to escape the children for longer we opted for the two-day event which included stopping at basecamp in Windsor with hot showers, bars, food, live music, and pre-erected tents with our overnight bags transported for us”.
“Chapeau to Threshold Sports for the fantastic event organisation, with the route very well signposted, excellent feed stations (it seemed more like endurance eating at times), and a brilliant atmosphere. It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend!”
“These were also the two longest rides Katie had ever undertaken, and on back-to-back days as well, so very proud of her! “
Tom & Katie
MUNICH HALF MARATHON
Held in the Bavarian Capital the Generali Munich Marathon, Half Marathon, and other distances attracted just under 13,000 competitors. Trevor Harvey has reported in:-
“An overseas race is a good excuse to have a city break jolly, and hence four Fitties headed to Munich for a run. There was a range of distances on offer, a full, half, relay and 10k. The four, (myself, Clive, Glenn, & Muz were joined by an ex & honorary Tuff for the weekend, Andy Strong), with all five opting for the half” .
“Starting in the English Garden in Munich, 5,700 runners in the half followed the route through Munich and out to finish in the Olympic Stadium. It was 50 years since Clive & I were last in the Stadium for the Olympics in 1972, (only spectating – not competing!)”.
“A cool clear day which provided good running conditions on a fairly flat course, which was well organised, and in-spite of a large field – the half was on the second portion of the full route – not too congested, and took in many of the central sights of Munich before heading out to the stadium, which provided a great atmosphere for the finish on the running track”.
“Glenn had a good run to be first Tuff home…by a mere 3 seconds over Andy! Clive was then followed by me, and then Muz. A good race, with several steins & bratwursts being consumed both pre and post race!
Trevor
WORTHING 10K
Worthing 10k saw competitors form up on Marine Drive before heading west along the seafront, a short north run, before turning left and out to Goring Gap and back again. This year there was a new feature – the ‘Ding-a-Ling’, a bell on the finish line for the runners to ring if they had achieved a PB.
Tuffs are a very modest bunch with no one reporting in, but it is hoped all our members are mentioned :- First Tuff home in 38:42 maintaining his incredibly full season was Simon Thistlethwaite. Next another one who has had a great season is James Togneri who crossed in 43:03. It is understood this was a PB by a margin; Yep, apparently he did ring that bell. Edward Lay was next, and Kate Cooper was our fourth runner finishing as 9th in her age group. Carey Woods followed 4th in her age group. The good news continued as Catherine Bellsham-Revell crossed the finish line on the promenade. Then we had Tony Morgan who paced Charlotte Pryer round. Kate Evans completed our roll call – strong running from our nine amongst 1,300 finishers.
RICHMOND MARATHON
Previously scheduled for the 11th September Richmond Marathon was postponed as a mark of respect for Her Majesty as the course started in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Whilst two other Tuffs had the run scheduled but couldn’t make the revised date, we still had two runners with strong performances from Amy Flinders and Matt Charman. The route took in the paths around Kew Gardens before running along the Thames Towpath. Amy was particularly pleased with her time of 4hrs 12 minutes comfortably beating her target time, with Matt following to complete two good results. Amy viewed this as a good step for them towards Kilimanjaro with Gareth and Olivia in a couple of weeks.
PARKRUN ROUND UP
There was no Worthing parkrun this weekend because of a projected film crew on the prom, although it transpired that Saturday was not going to be a filming day anyway. There were parkruns at:-
At Littlehampton parkrun, a great result by Colin Simpson who was first Tuff home achieving 24:10 a new PB for this course getting ever closer to his 200th as Colin has now completed 197 PR’s. Sue Simpson was next on her 160th PR and then Alistair Evans on his 101st parkrun. Great work by Alistair as he gained more volunteer credits for also being on the organising team.
Lancing parkrun saw Steve Feest cross the line as first Tuff recording a PB over this course by 12 seconds in 22:46.
Finally across at Whiteley parkrun in Hampshire Emilya Vaz kept up her rapid running crossing as second female overall in 20:22.
TUFF FITTY’s AGM
A reminder that Tuff Fitty’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday 22nd October at 6pm. The venue is Studio 2 in Littlehampton Wave. Tuff Fitty is a club run by its members for its members and your committee would be delighted to see as many members as possible to get an update on our clubs progress over the last year. Whilst some may be reluctant to attend thinking they may get pressganged into service, the committee have been very pleased at the recent offers of help so everyone can come along without needing to stare at the floor ! If anyone has items to submit for the agenda please email secretary@tufffittytri.club before Monday evening 17th October.
TUFF FITTY’S AWARD AND SOCIAL NIGHT
A new venue has been selected for this year’s Awards and social evening on Friday 11th November. Why? well Angmering Community Centre (BN16 4FU) has been selected because we need space to accommodate all the awards, all the evenings activities and all you wonderful Tuffs who will be attending.
A bar and a meal are just for starters, as you will see from the above banner shot there will be other aspects to the evening as well as some surprises. We are indebted to Mike Barrett & his team for the effort being put into the event so far – it promises to be an evening you will NOT want to miss.
How can you support? There are three key aspects – firstly click on the link to pay for your ticket & meal a subsidised £25. – spaces are sure to be snapped up so don’t delay. Get your ticket here
Secondly there is a fantastic raffle to be drawn on the evening. £5 per 5 tickets. Prizes are already stacking up including a race entry for 255 Goodwood (worth a lot on its own) a year’s Zwift subscription, Nike Gear, a club tri suit, all valuable. We could go on through an extensive list, but sufficient to say you have to be ‘in it to win it‘ Get your raffle tickets here
Thirdly all members have the opportunity to vote for the recipient of the Tuff Fitty Triathlon Club Members Member Award- vote here before 31st October
